Canes cheer way to first state crown
Second no longer.
The Manatee High competitive cheerleading squad claimed its first state championship Friday night at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, outlasting nine other teams in the Class 2A Extra Large Division.
The 30-member squad, which features 17 seniors, finished second in the state each of the past two years.
Manatee outscored Lake Mary 84.475-82.272 in the two-team final.
"They were extremely excited," Manatee coach Kelly Althof said of her girls. "I think they knew after their routine that they nailed it and they were going to win."
The Hurricanes will compete later this month in the high school nationals in Orlando.
Boys basketball
PALMETTO 72, SOUTHEAST 58 -- Jordan Young led the way with 29 points and 14 rebounds as the host Tigers downed the Seminoles to improve to 15-8.
Jarrid Rhodes contributed 21 points and seven boards, and Shaq Harris pulled down 20 rebounds for Palmetto.
Ronald Taylor's 14 points paced Southeast.
BRADEN RIVER 77, BAYSHORE 50 -- Led by four players in double figures, the host Pirates (16-8) took off on an 18-8 run in the first quarter and never looked back.
Braden River's senior Trevon Young had 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Senior Terrance Cummings added 13 points. Senior Ryan Hintz also had 13 points, and Justin Rawling dropped in 11 points.
Tracy Thomas led Bayshore with 17 points, and Wesley Jackson added 14 points.
NORTH PORT 74, CARDINAL MOONEY 69 -- The visiting Cougars suffered their second consecutive defeat, falling to the Bobcats despite 21 points from Antonio Blakeney.
Jamie Glasser added 18 points and five rebounds for Cardinal Moooney (21-3).
Juco baseball
SCF 7, UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA JV 2 -- Colton Davis had two hits and scored twice, and reliever Devon Carr pitched 4 2/3 innings of scoreless ball as the Manatees moved to 3-3.
-- Herald staff reports
